Missions Align: Recognizing Our Veterans and Honoring Their Service to Others

I have had the privilege of serving many years on active duty in the US Army alongside the women and men of the various branches of the armed services and public health who chose to serve our country. As a member of the US Army, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job was providing help and care to people from all walks of life. This approach falls directly in line with the mission of Pacific Northwest University.

I entered this military career because of a Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) when I was still an Osteopathic medical school student at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. HPSP offers prospective military physicians (M.D. or D.O.), dentists, nurse practitioners, optometrists, psychologists, pharmacists, and veterinarians a paid medical education in exchange for service as a commissioned medical department officer. I was selected for Internal Medicine residency and Nuclear Medicine fellowship, and served with a dedicated staff who committed whole-heartedly to the mission of caring for service members and their loved ones no matter the place or circumstances.

It is difficult to accurately convey the power of the camaraderie that develops among those who serve in the military. This camaraderie and friendship, cultivated during time in uniform, is something that veterans carry with them even after they put their uniforms down and return to civilian life. Interestingly enough in my experiences, it has many similarities to the relationships that many medical students develop among their class and school.

The welfare of those entrusted to my care was always my first priority. As I ascended into the senior officer ranks, that focus never wavered.

I have a strong appreciation and admiration for the enlisted men and women who volunteer to serve. They are the backbone of our services.

And today, I’m proud to look around our university and know that PNWU has faculty, staff and students enlisted and officer veterans who served or continue to serve unselfishly in many different environments. They are the sons, daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers, sisters, wives and husbands. They are strong and vibrant. They will do anything to care for a comrade.

To my fellow men and women who served in the past or will serve in the future, thank you for serving and continuing to serve our great country. It was a privilege to serve alongside you.

Marc G. Cote, DO, FACOI, FACP COL USA (ret)

Asst. Dean for Clinical Ed.Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences